How to Start Your Own Make Up Business

The quickest and easiest way to start your own makeup business is by joining a direct sales makeup company. The initial investment of time and money are fairly small, and you can put into the business as little or as much as you want. Depending on your city and state of residence, you probably don't even need special training or licensing to start your own cosmetics business. Here's how to start your own makeup business.
First, you need to choose a direct sales makeup company. There are plenty of them out there, from Mary Kay to Mark/Avon, and even Arbonne. Most of them are considered a Multi-Level Marketing business, where you make money selling products as well as earning a commission off of the products that your downline (recruited sales people) sell. You need to consider what product line you love the most, as well as what product line your warm market (your friends and family) enjoy, and what kind of saturation of products are in your community. Arbonne is pretty pricey but markets itself to those who like less preservatives and more all-natural products. Mark caters to college students and young professionals with its low price points and trendy concepts, and Mary Kay hits somewhere in between. After you've chosen a company, you'll need to go to their website and join. The cost varies depending on the organization, and depending on how much inventory you would like to keep on hand. Keep in mind that some companies may insist that you meet with a sales person prior to joining the company. Mark does not require this, and while it is the least expensive company to join, at this time it does not allow for recruiting. It is probably best to stick with one individual company, but you technically could join as many as you wish.

Once you've signed up for a direct sales makeup company, you'll want to go online and set up a website that they provide for you. You may want to order business cards with your name, phone number, email address, and website on them. Make sure you are familiar with your products, your starter kit, and consider ordering some samples to share. Next, make a list of about twenty five friends and family members who you think would enjoy the product you are going to sell. Call them all! and set up a time to meet with them to try the product. Offer them an incentive to bring along a few friends (three or four is optimal).

Try to book your appointments no further out than two to three weeks. Ask your hostess to give you a list of invited guests so that you can call and thank them for coming. If anyone isn't coming you can ask them to book a separate appointment at a more convenient time.

At your appointment, have everyone try the products and look at catalogs. It's a great idea to share makeup tidbits, or teach a makeup skill such as how to apply a smokey eye or how to choose a lip gloss shade. Show the products, talk about their benefits, their price, and how to apply them. Keep the appointment light and fun. Meet with each person individually and ask them what products they would like to have. Make arrangements to order and deliver the products if you don't already have them on hand. No matter what they purchase that day, ask them to book a follow up appointment and offer an incentive if they bring friends. This step is key in keeping a steady supply of customers.

After the appointment, make sure that you get your orders delivered in a timely manner. Then, call the customer after a couple days and see how she likes her products. Offer to call her back again in a few weeks or months to see if she needs anything. Make sure to send her the latest catalogs or send her an email with a coupon for your website. Remember that it is always easier to keep a current customer than it is to find new ones.

If you find that you need more customers to support your business, you will need to out and find some! Schedule booths at local fairs and festivals, hand out your business cards, and network with other people that you know. You can also offer incentives to current customers for referrals and to host additional appointments.

Remember that you can always call your upline or sales director for whatever help you need in keeping your business going strong. They can teach you about the products, help you find customers, and even do interviews to help you recruit additional sales people.

Your starter kit and your sales recruiter will have plenty of information and ideas to get you started on your own makeup business. If owning a makeup business of your own has always been your dream, don't wait. You can get started today!